Monday, June 3, 2019

Cough. Sore throat. Burning sensation behind the breastbone. Headache. Shortness of breath.

Formaldehyde

Octopodes preserved in formaldehyde

Formaldehyde is commonly used as a preservative.

What is formaldehyde?

Formaldehyde is a colorless, strong-smelling, flammable chemical that is produced industrially and used in building materials such as particleboard, plywood, and other pressed-wood products. In addition, it is commonly used as a fungicidegermicide, and disinfectant, and as a preservative in mortuaries and medical laboratories. Formaldehyde also occurs naturally in the environment. It is produced during the decay of plant material in the soil and during normal chemical processes in most living organisms. It is also a combustion product found in tobacco smoke.

How are people exposed to formaldehyde?

People are exposed primarily by inhaling formaldehyde gas or vapor from the air or by absorbing liquids containing formaldehyde through the skin. Workers who produce formaldehyde or products that contain formaldehyde—as well as laboratory technicians, certain health care professionals, and mortuary employees—may be exposed to higher levels of formaldehyde than people in the general population.

The general public may be exposed to formaldehyde by breathing contaminated air from sources such as pressed-wood products, tobacco smoke, and automobile tailpipe emissions. Another potential source of exposure to formaldehyde is the use of unvented fuel-burning appliances, such as gas stoves, wood-burning stoves, and kerosene heaters.

Which cancers are associated with exposure to formaldehyde?

Studies of workers exposed to high levels of formaldehyde, such as industrial workers and embalmers, have found that formaldehyde causes myeloid leukemia and rare cancers, including cancers of the paranasal sinuses, nasal cavity, and nasopharynx.

How can exposures be reduced?

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends the use of "exterior-grade" pressed-wood products to limit formaldehyde exposure in the home. Formaldehyde levels in homes and work settings can also be reduced by ensuring adequate ventilation, moderate temperatures, and reduced humidity levels through the use of air conditioners and dehumidifiers.

Selected References:

  • National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health. Formaldehyde, Workplace Safety and Health Topics. Atlanta, GA: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Available online. Last accessed February 14, 2019.
  • National Toxicology Program. Formaldehyde, Report on Carcinogens, Fourteenth Edition. Triangle Park, NC: National Institute of Environmental Health and Safety, 2016. Also available online. Last accessed February 14, 2019.
  • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Formaldehyde. Washington, DC: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2013. Available online. Last accessed February 14, 2019.
  • Updated: February 14, 2019
  • 14.1.2Evidence for Carcinogenicity

    Carcinogen

    EPA: Probable human carcinogen, based on limited evidence in humans, and sufficient evidence in animals. IARC: Carcinogenic to humans . NTP: Reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen

    There is sufficient evidence in humans for the carcinogenicity of formaldehyde. Formaldehyde causes cancer of the nasopharynx and leukaemia. Also, a positive association has been observed between exposure to formaldehyde and sinonasal cancer. There is sufficient evidence in experimental animals for the carcinogenicity of formaldehyde. The Working Group was not in full agreement on the evaluation of formaldehyde causing leukaemias in humans, with a small majority viewing the evidence as sufficient of carcinogenicity and the minority viewing the evidence as limited. Particularly relevant to the discussions regarding sufficient evidence was a recent study accepted for publication which, for the first time, reported aneuploidy in blood of exposed workers characteristic of myeloid leukaemia and myelodysplastic syndromes, with supporting information suggesting a decrease in the major circulating blood-cell types and in circulating haematological precursor cells. The authors and Working Group felt that this study needed to be replicated. Formaldehyde is carcinogenic to humans (Group 1).

    Cancer Classification: Group B1 Probable Human Carcinogen

    CLASSIFICATION: B1; probable human carcinogen. BASIS FOR CLASSIFICATION: Based on limited evidence in humans, and sufficient evidence in animals. Human data include nine studies that show statistically significant associations between site-specific respiratory neoplasms and exposure to formaldehyde or formaldehyde-containing products. An increased incidence of nasal squamous cell carcinomas was observed in long-term inhalation studies in rats and in mice. The classification is supported by in vitro genotoxicity data and formaldehyde's structural relationships to other carcinogenic aldehydes such as acetaldehyde. HUMAN CARCINOGENICITY DATA: Limited. ANIMAL CARCINOGENICITY DATA: Sufficient.

    A2; Suspected human carcinogen.

    Formaldehyde: Known to be a human carcinogen.

    Carcinogen

    IARC-1, NIOSH-Ca, NTP-R, OSHA-Ca, TLV-A1, EPA-B1

    14.1.3Health Effects

    Health Effect Code(s)

    HE1, HE9, HE11, HE14

    14.1.4Exposure Routes

    The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation.

    The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation, through the skin and by ingestion.

    The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation and by ingestion.

    inhalation, skin and/or eye contact

    14.1.5Symptoms

    irritation eyes, nose, throat, respiratory system; lacrimation (discharge of tears); cough; wheezing; [potential occupational carcinogen]

    14.1.6Inhalation Symptoms

    Cough. Sore throat. Burning sensation behind the breastbone. Headache. Shortness of breath.

    Cough. Sore throat. Burning sensation. Laboured breathing.

    14.1.7Skin Symptoms

    Redness.

    Redness. Pain. Skin burns.

    Redness. Pain.

    14.1.8Eye Symptoms

    Watering of the eyes. Redness. Pain. Blurred vision.

    Watering of the eyes. Redness. Pain. Severe burns.

    Redness. Pain. Burns.

    14.1.9Ingestion Symptoms

    Burns in mouth and throat. Nausea. Abdominal pain. Shock or collapse.

    Burning sensation in the throat and chest.

    14.1.10Target Organs

    Dermal (Skin), Gastrointestinal (Digestive), Immunological (Immune System), Respiratory (From the Nose to the Lungs)

    Eyes, respiratory system

    14.1.11Cancer Sites

    [nasal cancer]

    14.1.12Acute Effects

    OrganismTest TypeRouteDoseEffectReference
    manTDLooral643 mg/kg (643 mg/kg)LUNGS, THORAX, OR RESPIRATION: RESPIRATORY OBSTRUCTION; GASTROINTESTINAL: ULCERATION OR BLEEDING FROM STOMACH; GASTROINTESTINAL: NAUSEA OR VOMITINGJapanese Journal of Toxicology., 4(261), 1991
    womenLDLooral108 mg/kg (108 mg/kg)Practical Toxicology of Plastics, Lefaux, R., Cleveland, OH, Chemical Rubber Co., 1968, -(328), 1968
    humanTCLoinhalation17 mg/m3/30M (17 mg/kg)SENSE ORGANS AND SPECIAL SENSES: LACRIMATION: EYE; LUNGS, THORAX, OR RESPIRATION: OTHER CHANGESJAMA, Journal of the American Medical Association., 165(1908), 1957 [PMID:13480837]
    manTDLooral646 mg/kg (646 mg/kg)GASTROINTESTINAL: GASTRITIS; GASTROINTESTINAL: ULCERATION OR BLEEDING FROM STOMACH; GASTROINTESTINAL: NAUSEA OR VOMITINGJapanese Journal of Toxicology., 4(261), 1991
    womenLDLooral1 mL/kg (1 mg/kg)BEHAVIORAL: COMA; CARDIAC: OTHER CHANGES; GASTROINTESTINAL: ALTERATION IN GASTRIC SECRETIONIntensive Care Medicine., 23(708), 1997
    • 1
    • ...

    14.1.13US EPA Regional Screening Levels for Chemical Contaminants

    Resident Soil (mg/kg)1.7E+01
    Industrial Soil (mg/kg)7.3E+01
    Resident Air (ug/m3)2.2E-01
    Industrial Air (ug/m3)9.4E-01
    Tapwater (ug/L)4.3E-01
    Risk-based SSL (mg/kg)8.7E-05
Alexandros Sfakianakis
Anapafseos 5 . Agios Nikolaos
Crete.Greece.72100
2841026182
6948891480

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